About BrEA

The aim of our association is to strengthen the ties among our members and to contribute to the prosperity, development and dissemination of Free Research and the image of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel and more in particular of the Faculty of Engineering Sciences and of the Department of Bio-engineering of the Faculty of Science.

History

BrEA was founded in 1975 under the original name "A.I.Br.-Nederlandstalig" (Dutch-speaking A.I.Br.) or "General Association of Engineers from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel", as the Dutch-speaking wing of the then "A.I.Br." or "Association Royale des Ingénieurs sortis de l'Université Libre de Bruxelles". In 1980 both associations became independent non-profit organizations and the names were changed to: V.Ir.Br. and A.Ir.Br.

With the integration of the Industrial Sciences programs in the Faculty of Engineering Sciences, an amendment to the statutes that included these specific groups in our operations became necessary. This change was completed in 2013 and resulted in the name change of the association in 2016. This is now a fact, the Association of Engineers from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel became Brussels Engineering Alumni; V.Ir.Br. became BrEA.

Structure

Goal

With this we commit ourselves to acquire our own resources to promote and facilitate the basic study opportunities and the subsequent continuous formation of our members. We also attach great importance to the defense of our professional interests and will, if necessary, cooperate or cooperate with associations, groups or companies that pursue the same goal or have an interest in the engineering profession.

Achievements

Our association regularly organizes technical-scientific, cultural and sporting activities. We also publish a member magazine. During the first years this was done together with the A.Ir.Br. under the name "V.Ir.Br. Nieuws/Nouvelles de l'A.Ir.Br." At our tear-off, our issue was given the name "V.Ir.Br.-Mail", now known as "BrEA magazine".

In this magazine you will find information about the activities and initiatives of our association and its members and all kinds of information related to the exercise of the engineering profession.

Who we are

We also try to actively contribute to the prosperity and image of the Faculty of Engineering Sciences (FirW) and of the Biotechnology department of the Faculty of Science of the VUB (FW). This contribution can be divided into two parts.

On the one hand, as a former student association, we can make a contribution to the students of FirW and the FW department of Biotechnology. For this, there is close cooperation with the student associations "Polytechnische Kring"

and "BioTecho", for the realization of a number of joint initiatives. For example, there is an annual organization of the "Industry Day" where final-year students can exchange ideas with representatives of about twenty companies about the industries involved and the existing job and job application opportunities.

BrEA maintains regular contacts with the Faculties in connection with educational issues, scientific research, job opportunities, etc.

On the other hand, we are represented in two engineering organizations and the alumni association of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel:

the A.Ir.Br. which is close to our hearts philosophically
the various sections of the ie-net engineers association vzw
the Former Students Union (OSB) of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel

The relations with our sister association A.Ir.Br. naturally remain very much alive for historical and philosophical reasons and express themselves in a number of communal activities.

Like the other Flemish School Associations, BrEA concluded an "Association Protocol" with the KVIV (current ie-net) on January 1, 1975, which is still valid. Since then, our members have been active in several ie-net sections and in this way contribute to the development of a collaboration that is of the greatest benefit to the two associations.

By becoming a member of ie-net, you are automatically a member of BrEA. The amount of your membership fee depends on the year in which you graduated. Also as a member of OSB you are automatically a BrEA member. The minimum contribution is 35 euros, a partner membership 55 euros.

You can of course also become a direct member of BrEA. However, you are not a member of ie-net and therefore you cannot use their services. Every year we also award the "BrEA student prizes" to the graduating engineers. Exceptional achievements per faculty are rewarded and the winners are presented with their prizes at the solemn graduation ceremony.

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